Nashville evens series with 3-1 win over Ducks

The Predators defeated the Ducks in Game 6 to even their series at 3-3.  Check out the latest hockey news below in our 2016 NHL Playoff Recap:

RINNE, PREDATORS FORCE GAME 7

Pekka Rinne denied 26 of 27 shots he faced and James Neal (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal with 2:15 remaining in the second period to help the Predators earn their first home win of the series and force Game 7 against the Ducks.

Rinne, who made 19 of his 26 saves in the final two periods, improved to 17-6-2 in his last 26 appearances dating to Feb. 18 (regular-season and playoffs).

Neal scored his third career game-winning goal in the playoffs and first in a Predators uniform (also Game 4 of 2011 CQF at TBL and Game 4 of 2013 CSF at OTT, both w/ PIT).

Predators captain Shea Weber scored his 12th career playoff goal to move within one of tying David Legwand (13) for the most in franchise history.

The only teams remaining in the postseason to have won the Stanley Cup in the past decade are the Ducks (2007) and Penguins (2009).

The start time for Game 7 of the First Round series between the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators has been set for 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT/7 p.m. PT on Wednesday, April 27, in Anaheim. Outside of the local markets, the game will be televised on NBCSN in the U.S.  In Canada, the game will be on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Wednesday's showdown in Anaheim will mark the 40th Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2009 – the most frequently-occurring series length in that span.

BROUWER NETS GAME-WINNER AS BLUES DETHRONE DEFENDING CHAMPS

Troy Brouwer scored the game-winning goal at 8:31 of the third period to help the Blues defeat the defending Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks in the first Game 7 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs and win their first playoff series since the 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. SJS (4-1 W).

Monday night’s thriller was indicative of the closely-contested series. Six of the seven games in the First Round between the Blues-Blackhawks were decided by one goal and 91.3% of total playing time in the series saw the score tied or within one goal (412:48 of 452:11).

The Blues won their first Game 7 since 1999, when the club – directed behind the bench by current Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville – claimed a 1-0 overtime win at Phoenix in a Western Conference Quarterfinal series.

Brouwer, who appeared in 238 regular-season and 43 playoff games with the Blackhawks highlighted by a Stanley Cup in 2010, scored his second career game-winning goal against his former team. The first was during the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, where he scored with 12.9 seconds remaining in regulation to guide the Capitals to a 3-2 victory.

Jori Lehtera scored his first career playoff goal exactly one minute into the contest. Per Elias, it tied the fastest goal to begin a Game 7 in Blues history (also Martin Rucinsky in 2003 CQF at VAN). Elias adds he also became the third player in franchise history to score his first career playoff goal in a Game 7, joining Ron Schock (1968 SF vs. MNS) and Denis Chasse (1995 CQF vs. VAN).

Per Elias, Colton Parayko became the first defenseman in Blues history to score in a Game 7. At 22 years, 349 days old, Elias adds that Parayko was also was the youngest player in Blues history to score in a Game 7.

The Blues will face the Stars in the Second Round, the 13th all-time playoff meeting between the franchises and first since the 2001 Western Conference Semifinals (4-0 STL W).

MONDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

NASHVILLE 3, Anaheim 1 – series tied 3-3
ST. LOUIS 3, Chicago 2 – STL wins 4-3

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services